A middle-aged rock star, his lady, and their two teenage children. Let the inevitable comparisons to "The Osbournes" begin.

The series premiere is August 7 at 10 PM ET/PT on A&E.

Here's the official site.

Could be interesting. Checked out the site, I think his son looks more like Paul Stanley.

I'll be watching b/c for some reason I'm interested in Gene and Shannon (right?). For some reason I thought they had lady broken up.

I'm actually really looking forward to this show. I loved Gene on School of Rock. He strikes me as an intriguing mix of Rock God personified, devoted family man (without the legal documentation - oh so hip for some LOL) and a stand up guy with good intentions (not that he would ever admit to that). Even the promo is funny, where Gene says they've (Shannon Tweed, former Playmate I think?) been happily unmarried for 20 some years. Then his son "corrects" Gene by telling him that his Mom refers to the "unwedded bliss" as waiting.
And of course, what would a Gene Simmons discussion be without talk of THE TOUNGUE!

Paul Stanley was always my favorite Kiss member, but I will be firmly planted in my Reality Show throne (complete with a tin foil tiara and a cocktail) for the premiere - cuz I wanna rock and roll all night, and party every day (well, back in those good old days). Woo-Hoo!

The title of this show just... does not conjure a pretty picture.

Oh, Gene....you un-married Shannon Tweed? Why, oh, why? I remember her well from my days as a video store clerk. She's done a whole bunch of "erotic thrillers" (a.k.a., "soft porn" ) that the horny under-18 male crowd would rent again & again.

I can't believe she doesn't have "Cannibal Women in the Avocado Jungle of Death" listed in her IMDB filmography.

Heh. My guess is that she probably lets him screw around on the side and doesn't care.

This smells like a train wreck to me, but mainly because I hate Gene Simmons. I wonder if we'll be seeing him instruct his children on how to build people's devotion then shamelessly bilk them out of every cent they have because he thinks they're sheep? Hate. Him.

I think I'm gonna try this one. I read his autobiography a few years back and he's kind of an interesting guy. Shannon Tweed just released her autobiography that I really want to read too. Also, I watched some of the clips available at the official website, and his kids seem surprisingly normal.



Um, unless Gene is going around to all the fans' houses and forcing them to buy his stuff, I don't see how this is true. I mean, I like Kiss but I'm not going to mortage my house to buy the 2nd rarest Gene Simmons' doll out there. If he does show up at my house, I'll invite him in, offer him a drink, ask to see 'the tongue' (of course, how could you not!) but I'm still not buying crap.

I'm just interested in seeing how Shannon justifies staying with such a caricature of a has-been who's been reduced to famewhoring himself on two reality shows on basic cable in some lame attempt to relive his former glory days, who constantly brags about banging 3000+ women that he takes polaroids of each and every one, much like a serial killer who keeps his victims' drivers licences*, and the fact he will never give in to the outrageous request of his children's mother to get married.

From the promos it looks like Shannon has the same plastic surgeon as Christa Miller from Scrubs since she has the same "Joker" face going on.

Can't wait til 10pm tonight!

* Not that I'm comparing Gene's actions to that of a serial killer. But the polaroid thing fucking creeps me out.

Man, this is exactly what I need is another reality show to watch, but after going to the official site, I am very curious.

The children are very charming, and good looking (luckily they both got their moms genes on that one) Gene and Shannon seem like very loving parents, and their son has a really good sense of humor about the whole KISS extravaganza room.

I never watched Rock School, but the interviews I've seen and heard on the radio (like the one on "Fresh Air" with Terri Gross) Gene comes off as a complete and total ASS. I'm going to try to go into this with a new eye. If you have not heard the interview with Terri, I would highly recommend it.

I read on the site that one ep will be about their daughter starting to date, I really hope he doesn't go for the stereotype of Hulk Hogan and be all over her all the time, although I know with his reputation for being a womanizer he may be really scared.

KeyOuiIt's ok go ahead and make the serial killer connection, anyone who "collects" sexual experiences instead of just having them has got something going on, I'm kind of grossed out by the whole groupie have sex with as many women as possible thing, but I can understand it, I just don't get having to take pictures to prove to yourself how many woman you've had.

I feel strongly that if it wasn't for the success of the Osbournes, they never would have made this show. I just hope these kids have their heads together more than Kelly & Jack. If they suddenly become famous, hopefully it won't go to their heads and wind up with both of them in rehab.

Thanks rulla, I just wonder what he does with them. Does he put them in an album so he can pull it out to show guests? Does he come home from a tour and show his latest collection to Shannon, relaying to her "this one gave me an awesome blowjob, while this one here is double-jointed...".

For someone who is so self-righteous when it comes to not drinking or taking drugs, I don't see how doing either of those things is any different from the instant self-gratification of anonymous sex with multiple partners.


They'll just recycle the script used on all reality shows. Dad initially refuses to allow daughter to date. He finally gives in, proceeds to give the prospective boyfriend the third degree, threaten him with physical violence if he lays a hand on his precious princess, while daughter sits nearby hissing "Daaaaad" in utter humiliation, alternately pouting and rolling her eyes. Next episode, Mum and the kids force Dad to go on a health diet exercise regime which involve some wacky hi-jinks along the way.

That comes as no surprise, as band members have a way of passing their groupies amongst them. *ahem*
That said, I have no intention of watching this dirtbag's show.

It's not a guess; it's a matter of record, IIR one of those VH1 metal retrospectives correctly. She does, in fact, care that he screws around; she's just willing to put up with it for reasons known only to her*. She further said on the VH1 show that it isn't really an open marriage per se, because although he sleeps around, she is NOT allowed to be with other men. Lovely example to set for your daughter, Shannon.

*Gene does get a pretty good bedroom review from metal groupie central: http://www.metalsludge.tv/home/index.php?o...0&Itemid=54

Oh my, I forgot about Metal Sludge! I love that site, and I always spend entirely too much time checking it out when I go there. I know I'm a voyer, if you will, but those "reviews" are so funny. It's great to see the groupies use the rockers as a notch in their bustier, just as the rockers are using them.

I kind of feel sorry for the guys (not really) having all their pertainent information up on the boards for all the world to see.

Gene has always been vocal about not drinking or using drugs, and in an interview I saw or heard he said very adamently that he would "never" sleep with a woman who was drunk since she didn't want to experience sex with him, or something like that. I saw another little snippet with Shannon on I think the "Rockstar girlfriends and wives" countdown that at first she wasn't into Gene, However after a few drinks she was ok. So even she needed a few to take the edge off.

With his *3000* sex partners, many of them groupies, has anyone seen Simmons response to "What about STDs?" I'd love to see him smugly pontificate on that subject.
Shannon had to take a drink to sleep with him? Ahhaahaha.


Bet smug Gene will avoid a DNA test as much as he avoids drugs and booze.

Oh and on that note, i was present at a Kiss concert in the days when everything went. Person in the front stage had a huge bong and was blowing hits to Paul Stanley. Smoke went all over the stage. For that matter the whole building was smokey. So Simmons has "done" pot via secondhand smoke from 1972-1980, wether he wants to admit it or not.

Not that anyone really cares one way or the other, I'm sure, but I would like to chime in that, taking his character flaws (we all have 'em) into account, Gene Simmons is actually quite a nice fellow.

In fact, I would have to say that in all the time I've spent with the members of KISS, Gene seems by far the least wild, most grounded, least offensive, and overall most generally "good person-ish" of all of them.

In our discussions he has also impressed me as being very intelligent, the polar opposite of Mr. Stanley in that regard.

Faxinator I have no doubt that Gene is very intelligent, on the site I read that he speaks several languages. I just wonder why he would not bring that good person vibe to an interview? Like I said before on the site he seems very loving toward his children and wife( I know they aren't married but I am going to refer to her that way) and like a nice family guy.

I heard him on the aformentioned "Fresh Air" program and he just did not try to even sound like anything but arrogant and dissmisive.

I'm not trying to be confrontational, I'm just curious, that a person could be so different in that respect. Since you know him what are your thoughts on that?

I don't know why, but I find it funny that he used to be an elementary school teacher.

I don't know much about him, but I always figured he was an arrogant asshole. I saw him quite awhile back on Politically Incorrect and wanted to hate him, but I was suprised to find out how intelligent he was. He was well spoken and quite knowledgable about the issues they addressed, and I found myself liking him by the end. Although I still think he's a pig. And, he supported Bush in the last election, so I'm back to not being too thrilled about him.

I thought I heard Shannon say on some VH1 show that it was not an open relationship. I can recall her saying "over my dead body". This may have been the same time she said "He opted not to marry. I opted not to bitch about it".

I'll be checking it out tonight.

Sure I'd be all for hearing his good qualities. Maybe with his multimillions he's really nice about helping out people who need money or items. By that i don't mean your classic Hollywood platic P.R. person telling him to "donate here, and we will publicize for maximum effect, baybee" but rather maybe Gene is really good hearted with his extra cash. Do you see Faxinator, how he does come across as very selfish and egotistical, ie he can sleep around but Shannon is supposed to be (and apparantly is) the submissive Middle Eastern concubine?

Can you tell us what capacity you spent time with him large/repeated amounts of time with him? This isn't Genes current publicist, is it? <smilie>

I dunno, as the wife of a KISS fan who fully recognizes that Gene's bottom line is the money, I have to think that Gene is playing a role when he's being interviewed. I mean, the 3000 women line is just too far-fetched to be believed, especially when coming from a rather average-looking guy like Gene. I honestly think that he's just playing "Gene Simmons of KISS", the sex & drugs & rock 'n roll persona (minus the drugs, I guess). It's all about the product with him...and he's the product, as is KISS.

All I can tell you is that his public persona and his private persona have been, at least to me, quite different. I believe that there is a good amount of playing it for the cameras when he's in an interview.

I can only liken it to another former public figure who I was quite close to for many years who was, in public life, a bit of an arrogant a**hole but in private was one of the nicest, most self-deprecating and easy to like people I've ever met. That was Sam Wyche, former head coach of the NFL Bengals and Buccaneers. When he was here in Tampa, Sam and I got quite close, and one day we were having a discussion and I asked him:

"Sam, I see you as a completely different person that the guy who is portrayed in the media. Why isn't THIS the Sam Wyche that all the fans and media see?"

Sam's answer:

"Because that's not who people are paying to see. They're paying to see the other guy."

Sam implied that nice guy Sam is boring, while a**hole Sam is entertaining.

Now I'm not saying that's right, and I'm not saying that's what Gene's philosophy is because I've never asked. However, I can see how someone in Sam's position (and Gene's, since he's an even bigger name) would have that mentality.



A very close friend of mine is cousin to Ace Frehley. He, too, had a (lesser-known) rock band, and I produced a number of shows for them including a full complement of tour dates in Florida. In doing so, I spent a lot of time with Ace who was invested in trying to help them become a success in their own right.

In the course of that, Ace and I became well acquainted, and I ended acting as a liason for KISS on most of their southeastern US tour dates, as well as helping him during the brief run of Frehley's Comet in the mid-1980's. I ended up spending quite a bit of time with the entire band during the 1980's and beyond, though I've not had much contact, other than a phone call from time to time, over the past 10 years.

But's that mentality is insulting to the fans (or in my case, former fans) who grew up with KISS. I worshipped them from the time I was 12 until I was about 20 when I became aware of the merchandise juggernaut and how I was expected to feed into that. Also, now that I'm 42, Gene is spouting the same crap in interviews that he did when I was 12. I'm not 12 anymore and his canned lines bore me to tears and insult me because it's like he's playing to people who haven't changed since the 70's.

The last time I saw him Howard Stern, maybe four years ago, he walked straight up to some chick in the hall that he had never seen before and pulled her tube top down and started squeezing her breasts. Didn't say a word, just walked right up to her and yanked her top down. Now, she was there to meet him, so maybe she got off on that, I don't know, but still....He didn't know whether she was there in the context of a true fan or a groupie, but he still made the assumption that she was a groupie. He treated Terri Gross like she SHOULD have been in groupie mode when she interviewed him and everytime she got him talking about something that had potential, like his childhood in Israel he would flip back into asshole mode and the interview just went to shit. That's when I started to strongly dislike him.

Someone upthread had trouble believing that a below average looking guy like Gene could get 3000 women. Being around musicians and groupies and that whole scene in general for the better part of my younger (foolishly squandered) life, let me tell you that 3000 women is probably a low estimate. Some women, and I mean beautiful women, will sleep with anyone in a band and it does not matter one bit what you look like. In fact, they will blow off gorgeous guys who are not in a band because they want to fuck a name, not a real person. It's pathological.

Again, I'm not saying it's right. In fact, I think it screams of insecurity.

Ooh, ooh! Don't forget that wretched cartoon he produced for Nickelodeon, My Dad the Rock Star!

I am neither a Gene fan, nor a KISS fan, but I might watch this for a laugh. KISS was popular when I was little and they scared me. I remember seeing the posters on my friend's older brother's wall and having nightmares.

A close friend of mine is a *huge* KISS fan and recently made a pilgrimage to Myrtle Beach to go to the new KISS Koffeehouse there.

Everytime I think of KISS/Gene Simmons I remember the bit on Stern with him whoring out every product known to man with a KISS logo on it.

I am finding the show kinda boring....is it just me? And I like KISS!!

Tweed mentioned on The View that they have a legal document that gives her with a pension and other financial protections. I think they called it a "cohabitation agreement."

I liked this a lot. The kids didn't grate on my last nerve like Kelly and Jack Osbourne, and it's nice to see a somewhat more equal relationship than Sharon and medicated Ozzy (I think he is/was off medication for a while, but on the first season he was just a mess.) They are a bit odd, but seem quite functional as a family.

It's funny how they all call him "Genie," and him imitating the Count from Sesame Street, with them all joining in, was pretty much enough to win me over all by itself. If they confine the "why can't I have a wedding" business to that one episode, I'm good with that.

I really enjoyed this much more than The Osbournes. Going in, I had no feelings good or bad about Gene Simmons or Kiss, so that was possibly helpful. And what I got from the second episode is that Gene is more of a marketing person than anything else. I enjoyed him buying his shirt so it wouldn't be devalued.

The kids are great. You can tell they love their dad, but it's not obnoxious. I would like to see more of Shannon. (and Snips?)

Ananayel, I just came in here to post how much (MUCH) more likeable the Simmons kids are than the Osbournes, too! Funnier, too. Better looking, too!

I'm also glad the wedding thing seems to be over. I mean, after 23 years, it's hard to believe she's longing for a wedding at this point.

I feel sometimes I shouldn't like Gene (mostly for cleopatraseven's reasons), but I get a big ol' kick out of him. The merchandising doesn't bother me, I actually think it's a good idea. People want crap with KISS on it - why not?

I want "Genie"s mom on the show - she sounds like a character!

Shannon's face.... poor dear...

I was just saying how I wanted to buy Nick and have him come sit in my house and make faces and do that cute little grin... and then the 2nd episode ends with him running an ad for himself. "If anybody wants me..." How much, Nick?

It surprised me when I found out Sophie was 13. She looks older. And I think both her and her brother are great. They seem to have a good sense of humor. I actually laughed out loud a few times when they were sitting with their dad responding to whatever he was saying.

As for Genie - hmm.. I thought he's sounded a bit of an asshole in prior interviews. I didn't find him so bad in this show. And for someone so scared of being married, he fathered children. Isn't being a dad and assuming responsibility for kids a million more times scarier and subject to disaster and heartbreak than an unhappy marriage or divorce?

I think refusing to get married at the beginning of the relationship was his way of excusing fooling around since he wasn't legally committed. Now was the marriage sanctioned by his church. And Shannon accepted it, has continued to live with him and have children. She can complain all she wants about how she wants to get married, but being with Gene his way has served her needs somehow or she would've told Gene to hit the road umpteen years ago.

And I think Mama Simmons needs to come visit!

Yes! a Mama Simmons visit is in order!
I loved her little voice on the phone saying "I don't understand?" She seemed so happy Genie had gotten married. I think the kids kind of want their parents to marry also, when Sophie said "If you can't do it for us, you can at least do it for grandma!"

The Simmons kids seem so cute, I love how cute they are together, no screaming fights and not a complete show full of BLEEPS.
I also loved Aunt Tracy, she and Shannon seem so fun together.

I did think the "bride" was kind of stupid, and if her southern accent was genuine I'll eat my KISS ARMY patch! I agree with Ananayel I hope they keep the when are we going to get married to the first show.

Yep. If she and the kids are provided for legally, that's the important thing. After this long, "happily unmarried" is their schtick. If it truly was a major sore spot, I don't think it would be the subject of practical jokes on her part. He's not threatened by the jokes, and just plays along. She doesn't seem like a meek shrinking violet, and they've worked out a relationship that seems to work for them, and has allowed them to raise seemingly normal, well-adjusted children.

I liked how he apologized for misunderstanding the woman in Vegas - "I'm sorry, I assumed you'd lost your mind."

I like Aunt Tracy too.

Oh no, another reality show to be addicted to!

In this case, it's the KIDS that really drew me in. So attractive and smart, but so NOT full of themselves (the way they grew up watching dad act). His daughter looked much older than 13 (!), but not in a precocious/promiscuous way. And Nick--I think I have a creepy and entirely age-inappropriate crush in development!

But someone please tell me WHY Shannon doesn't make Gene do SOMETHING with his hair? That would have been my birthday request!

I really enjoyed it, the kids were great and Gene should be fun to watch. But I'm confused -- after watching those Cinemax movies all those years, I always thought Shannon was married to Andrew Stevens.

Who knew that Gene could be such a kick in the pants?!?!?

I love Nick and Sophie. They're the adults in that family.

Im glad that Gene and Shannon raised their children right... they dont bicker and annoy me like Kelly and Jack osbourne. Sophie is more mature, composed and classier then Kelly will ever be and Nick has a great sense of humour.

Is that what happened to her face? I didn't recognize her at all!

As for him, the count was listed as 4,700 women in something I read online. Personally I don't see how that's possible.

Kids are so likeable. Nice change from the usual reality family show.

No. I felt like the only thing missing was the canned laugh track.

I can accept that there will never be a true celeb reality show with no scripting or planned shenanigans, but this was pretty much identical to Hogan Knows Best, right down to the pissing away of thousands of dollars on an airplane banner in some lame attempt to promote their kid's music career. Though I guess Hogan was worse since he made sure the producer dude actually saw it. The sole purpose of this show is to promote Nick's career, a la Brooke Hogan, Ashlee Simpson, Cheyenne, etc etc.



I don't know how religious Gene is, though he does seem to have a pretty convenient interpretation of one. It seems like he doesn't believe in divorce or cheating while married. But I guess its ok to disrespect and humiliate the mother of your children. She's good enough to sleep with and keep house, but not quite good enough to marry. I know that there are other celebs who are fine with not being married, like Tim and Susan, Goldie and Kurt. But it just seems like Shannon desperately wants to get married.


Thanks SlinkyKat, I didn't know he was involved with that. I remember months ago in the Potluck forum someone mentioned an episode of that show that made some reference to the Led Zeppelin groupie fish incident. And I thought it was a kids' cartoon.

I'll third the fact that the kids are so much better than on The Ozzy Family Whack. I think my favorite part was Nick, mocking Gene as he talked about Nick. "Go ahead. Guess how tall he is! Guess! No, seriously. Guess!" Well, that, and the eyerolling when Gene tried to play all the instruments in Nick's band. Heh. It's a lot more fun when people don't take themselves, or each other, too seriously.

OK. I still think Gene's an ass, but it was fun to see him be so subserviant to Shannon and his kids. I like it. I feel dirty because I'm 42 and I think I have a crush on Nick. He's so tall and snarky and I love it that he wears vintage and likes old bands. I thought his singing voice sounds like a cross between Gene's and Ian Astbury's. Obvious scripting aside, I enjoyed this show. What I liked the best were the couch interviews, those were really cute. Don't make me like you Gene, I'm too old to change my mind.

Like several others, I thought the kids were great! They actually made me laugh by some of their comments and facial expressions. They seem to really love and RESPECT their parents-who in turn, seem to love and respect their kids.
I just hope we don't have a whole season of dressing and making up the 13 year old daughter to look as if she is 21, then yelling at guys if they dare approach her.
I do not know a whole lot about Gene Simmons; I know he use to date Cher. He seems to have a great sense of humor with his kids (are those his only kids?) I loved KISS back in the 70's but was always more attracted to Paul Stanley.
I agree that Nick (Nick must have been "THE NAME" in the early 90's!) does favor Paul Stanley! Hmmm.

The kids were adorable, Genie wasn't too overbearing (although I thought the constant intrusions into Nick's band rehearsals to showcase himself were a bit much), and I actually liked Shannon and her sister.

They seem to be a genuinely warm and loving family. I hope someday Gene does marry Shannon, she puts up with a lot, and seems to really and truly love him.

On a side note, what's up with Gene's hair? It looks like a black wig! Is it real?

Yes, as parents they have done 100% better than the Osbournes. The kids were not obnoxious back-talkers, and seemed really sweet.

I guess if their non-marriage works for them that's all that matters.

But, I sincerely hope he's not still sleeping around. Why stay with a man who has that little respect for you? At least she has a pension! LOL

Don't know if I'll watch again or not - it's not really anything we haven't already seen in other celeb reality shows.

And Sophie is 13? Damn! When she first appeared on the screen I would have said 17.

I think Kelly was a lot less bratty when she was 13 as well, but I agree that these kids seem to be parented a lot better than the Osbournes. I find Gene's minor obsession with his son's band to be sad. Let him work out some of that stuff on his own, and if he does succeed, then you can give him the benefit of your business experience.

I have to admit the show was sweet… the parent/kid dynamic is very positive. Now on a shallow note: Sophie is a pretty girl and Nick is HOT! I love me a tall/lanky/funny tight jeans and cowboy boots wearing man –swooon!

The whole family was on The View the other day and were confronted about their relationship from the crazy-ass Elizabeth. Shannon defended Gene and she was asked if Gene sleeps around. Shannon replied that if he did, he'd lose an arm. Gene got all red in the face and whining about her messing with his rep. You could tell it was all in fun.

Elisabeth: arbiter of all that is holy, righteous and good in the world. Ugh.

I thought the kids were hilarious and very cute. The son is so tall! He seemed a little embarrassed by his dad's bravado, but he wasn't rude. And the daughter is so mature and pretty. She definitely looks/acts older than 13/14, but not in a bad rebel way. (I think Kelly Osbourne was an articulate sweet-faced girl when she was that age, too, though, so you never know what will happen.)